Jaguars Prepared To Move On From Blake Bortles Next Year, Despite Extension

Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that the Jaguars are prepared to move on from QB Blake Bortles next year, despite signing him to an extension this past offseason.

According to Rapoport, the Jaguars are unlikely to be able to trade him next year, given the money he’s owed.

This doesn’t come as a big surprise, considering that Jacksonville benched Bortles a few weeks after what has been a disappointing season for him and the entire Jaguars’ offense.

There should be a number of moves made by the Jaguars in 2019, considering that they’re projected to be over the cap by around $10 million.

It will be interesting to see who Jacksonville targets as a replacement for Bortles. One option could be to go with a draft pick and veteran option, as this would work with their cap situation, as opposed to trading for an experienced veteran. 

Bortles, 26, was taken with the No. 3 overall pick by the Jaguars back in 2014. He played out the final year of his four-year, $20,654,796 rookie contract when the Jaguars picked up his fifth-year option.

However, Jacksonville elected to sign Bortles to a three-year, $54 million contract that included $26.5 million guaranteed this past offseason. 

According to OverTheCap.com, releasing Bortles will free up $4.5 million of available cap space while creating $16.5 million in dead money. If they designate him as a post-June 1 release, they would pick up $9.5 million of cap room and take on $11.5 million of dead money. 

In 2018, Bortles has appeared in 11 games for the Jaguars and completed 60.4 percent of his passes for 2,572 yards, 13 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He has also rushed for 325 yards and a touchdown.